Tech startups test new models for a foothold in grocery retail

At a time when big players such as Reliance Industries, Amazon, and Walmart-owned Flipkart are doubling down on grocery retail, more than half a dozen technology startups — including Express Stores, Behtar Stores, Gully Network, GoodBox, ShopKirana, NIFLR and Jumbotail — are experimenting with new models in the segment.

While some of these businesses are taking over the functioning of the full kirana (corner) store to control merchandising, inventory, invoicing, financing and branding, others are creating self-checkout stores and technology solutions for retailers.

A few months ago, ShopKirana, which focuses distribution of goods to kirana stores in small towns and cities, forayed into the business of full-store transformation under the brand Need Square, and has worked with close to 80 outlets for a partial store revamp through a project called Kisan Kirana.

A few months ago, ShopKirana, which focuses distribution of goods to kirana stores in small towns and cities, forayed into the business of full-store transformation under the brand Need Square, and has worked with close to 80 outlets for a partial store revamp through a project called Kisan Kirana.

Kirana stores are already using products including UPI and QR code-based payment solutions, digitization and ledger solutions as well as inventory procurement and point of sale solutions. It has become an imperative for kiranas (corner stores) to use technology to even survive in the future. This opens up space for innovation.